Iron is indispensable for the viablility of nearly all living organisms, and it is imperative for cells, tissues, and organisms to acquire this essential metal sufficiently and maintain its metabolic stability for survival. Disruption of iron homeostasis can lead to the development of various diseases. There is a robust connection between iron metabolism and infection, immunity, inflammation, and aging, suggesting that disorders in iron metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of arthritis. Numerous studies have focused on the significant role of iron metabolism in the development of arthritis and its potential for targeted drug therapy. Targeting iron metabolism offers a promising approach for individualized treatment of arthritis. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which the body maintains iron metabolism and the impacts of iron and iron metabolism disorders on arthritis. Furthermore, this review aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets and active substances related to iron metabolism, which could provide promising research directions in this field.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-coronavirus potential and the corresponding mechanisms of the two ingredients of Reduning Injection: quercetin and luteolin. METHODS: A pseudovirus system was designed to test the efficacy of quercetin and luteolin to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and the corresponding cellular toxicity. Luteolin was tested for its activities against the pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Virtual screening was performed to predict the binding sites by Autodock Vina 1.1.230 and PyMol. To validate docking results, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to measure the binding affinity of the compounds with various proteins of the coronaviruses. Quercetin and luteolin were further tested for their inhibitory effects on other coronaviruses by indirect immunofluorescence assay on rhabdomyosarcoma cells infected with HCoV-OC43. RESULTS: The inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus by luteolin and quercetin were strongly dose-dependent, with concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC₅₀) of 8.817 and 52.98 µmol/L, respectively. Their cytotoxicity to BHK21-hACE2 were 177.6 and 405.1 µmol/L, respectively. In addition, luetolin significantly blocked the entry of 4 pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with EC₅₀ lower than 7 µmol/L. Virtual screening and SPR confirmed that luteolin binds to the S-proteins and quercetin binds to the active center of the 3CLpro, PLpro, and helicase proteins. Quercetin and luteolin showed over 99% inhibition against HCoV-OC43. CONCLUSIONS The mechanisms were revealed of quercetin and luteolin inhibiting the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Reduning Injection is a promising drug for COVID-19.
Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 ; Luteolin ; Quercetin

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is an intermediate product in lipid metabolism and plays an important physiological role in human body. It is mainly prepared by hydrolyzing lipid with lipase. However, research on the detection method of 1, 2-diacylglycerol (1, 2-DAG) and 1, 3-diacylglycerol (1, 3-DAG) and catalytic specificity of lipase was not enough, which limits its wide application. To address these challenges, an efficient quantitative detection method was first established for 1, 2-DAG (0.025-0.200 g/L) and 1, 3-DAG (0.025-0.150 g/L) by combining supercritical fluid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector and optimizing the detection and analysis parameters. Based on the molecular docking between Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL) and triolein, five potential substrate binding sites were selected for site-specific saturation mutation to construct a mutation library for enzyme activity and position specificity screening. The specificity of sn-1, 3 of the I202V mutant was the highest in the library, which was 11.7% higher than the specificity of the wild type TLL. In summary, the position specificity of TLL was modified based on a semi-rational design, and an efficient separation and detection method of DAG isomers was also established, which provided a reference for the study of the catalytic specificity of lipase.
Humans ; Diglycerides ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Binding Sites ; Catalysis ; Lipase/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-coronavirus potential and the corresponding mechanisms of the two ingredients of Reduning Injection: quercetin and luteolin. METHODS: A pseudovirus system was designed to test the efficacy of quercetin and luteolin to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and the corresponding cellular toxicity. Luteolin was tested for its activities against the pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Virtual screening was performed to predict the binding sites by Autodock Vina 1.1.230 and PyMol. To validate docking results, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used to measure the binding affinity of the compounds with various proteins of the coronaviruses. Quercetin and luteolin were further tested for their inhibitory effects on other coronaviruses by indirect immunofluorescence assay on rhabdomyosarcoma cells infected with HCoV-OC43. RESULTS: The inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus by luteolin and quercetin were strongly dose-dependent, with concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC₅₀) of 8.817 and 52.98 µmol/L, respectively. Their cytotoxicity to BHK21-hACE2 were 177.6 and 405.1 µmol/L, respectively. In addition, luetolin significantly blocked the entry of 4 pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with EC₅₀ lower than 7 µmol/L. Virtual screening and SPR confirmed that luteolin binds to the S-proteins and quercetin binds to the active center of the 3CLpro, PLpro, and helicase proteins. Quercetin and luteolin showed over 99% inhibition against HCoV-OC43. CONCLUSIONS The mechanisms were revealed of quercetin and luteolin inhibiting the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Reduning Injection is a promising drug for COVID-19.

Aim To investigate the effects of TRPV4-Nox2 complex on ROS production and aortic vasodilatory function in mice fed with high-fat diet.Methods Male C57 BL/6J mice and TRPV4 KO mice were randomly divided into seven groups, with 10 mice in each group: normal diet group(ND), high-fat diet group(HFD), TRPV4 KO mice fed with high-fat diet group(TRPV4 KO-HFD), HFD+AAV-Flt1-Vector/Nox2 ▵3 group, TRPV4 KO-HFD+AAV-Flt1 -Vector/Nox2 ▵3 group.Body weight and blood pressure were recorded.14 weeks later primary aortic endothelial cells were isolated for CM-H2DCFDA staining and immuno-FRET assay, and aortic rings were isolated for vascular tone assay.Results ① Obesity significantly increased ROS production, triggered vasodilatory dysfunction and increased the strength of physical coupling between TRPV4-Nox2 complex(P<0.05); ② Decreasing the physical association of TRPV4-Nox2 complex could help reduce obesity-induced increased ROS production and vasodilatory dysfunction(P<0.05); ③ Entrectinib had no effect on the expression and function of TRPV4 and Nox2, but only decreased the physical association of the TRPV4-Nox2, which in turn improved obesity-induced oxidative stress and restored vasodilatory function.Conclusions Reducing the physical association of TRPV4 and Nox2 through Entrectinib can help reduce obesity-induced increase in ROS production and improve vasodilatory function of obese mice.

Aim To explore the effeet of puerarin (Pue) on aortic function and blood pressure in hyper-tensive mice induced by high-fat diet.Methods Thirty male mice were divided into five groups named as normal diet group ( Con ) , high-fat diet group (1)10), high-fat diet + low-dose puerarin group (20 mg 'kg-1 •(!"'), high-fat diet + medium-dose puera¬rin (40 mg • kg"1 • d ~1 ) group and high-fat diet + high-dose puerarin group (80 mg 'kg-1 • d~l).Hie mice were injected intraperitoneally with Pue for eight weeks.Body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose were measured.Serum was collected to detect blood lipid.Aortas were separated from aortic endothelial cells to test the vasodilative function.Aortic endotheli¬al cells from 1)10 mice were isolated to perform Iran-swell and cell proliferation experiments.Results I High-rlose puerarin treatment could reduce the body weight, body fat, blood glucose and blood pressure in obese mice ( P < 0.01 ) ; 2 High dose of puerarin could improve the vasodilative function of aortas com¬pared with those from 1)10 mice (P <0.01 ) ; (3) The migration ability of primary endothelial cells from 1)10 + Pue group was improved compared with that from 1)10 group (P <0.01 ).Conclusions Puerarin can significantly reduce blood pressure in obese mice in¬duced by high fat diet by improving the aortic diastolic function and endothelial cell proliferation and migra-tion.

Nano-metallic materials are playing an important role in the application of medicine, catalysis, antibacterial and anti-toxin due to their obvious advantages, including nanocrystalline strengthening effect, high photo-absorptivity, high surface energy and single magnetic region performance. In recent years, with the increasing consumption of global petrochemical resources and the aggravation of environmental pollution, nanomaterials based on bio-based molecules have aroused great concern. Bio-based molecules refer to small molecules and macromolecules directly or indirectly derived from biomass. They usually have good biocompatibility, low toxicity, degradability, wide source and low price. Besides, most bio-based molecules have unique physical, chemical properties and physiological activity, such as optical activity, acid/alkali amphoteric property, hydrophilic property and easy coordination with metal ions. Thus, the corresponding nano-materials based on bio-based molecules also have unique functions, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, antiviral fall blood sugar and blood fat etc. In this paper, we give a comprehensive overview of the preparation and application of nano-metallic materials based on bio-based molecules in recent years.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Catalysis ; Metals ; Nanostructures

Aim To investigate the effect of vaccarin on mouse atherosclerosis in vivo and the underlying mechanism. Methods AopE mice aged 6 to 8 weeks old were used to establish the atherosclerosis model. Oil red O staining was used to determine the lipid levels in aorta and aortic root. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors. Results Vaccarin could effectively reduce the levels of blood glucose and blood pressure in AopE

Objective:To discuss the efficacy and safety of Shenwu Yishenpian on stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease-nondialysis （CKD） with deficiency of spleen and kidney Qi， and the effect on renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） and microinflammation. Method:One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group. A total of 58 patients in control group completed the treatment （including 2 patients falling off or lost）. And 58 patients in observation group completed the treatment （including 1 patient was falling off or lost visit， and 1 eliminated）. Both groups got comprehensive treatment of western medicine. Patients in control group got simulated medicine of Shenwu Yishenpian， 4 pieces/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group got Shenwu Yishenpian， 4 pieces/time， 3 times/day. The treatment lasted for 6 months until the renal replacement therapy， and the 6-month follow-up was recorded. For every month， blood creatinine （SCr） was detected， and glomerular filtration rate （eGFR） were calculated. The 12-month renal replacement （dialysis or kidney transplantation）， progress （CKD4 to CKD5） and mitigation （CKD5 to CKD4 or CKD4 to CKD3） were recorded. Before and after treatment， levels of urea nitrogen （BUN）， hemoglobin （HB）， plasma albumin （ALB）， urine protein quantity （24 hUp） and blood uric acid （UA） levels were detected， deficiency of spleen kidney Qi was scored， and transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）， serum Klotho， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1 （Lkn-1） and interleukin-12 （IL-12） were detected. And the safety was evaluated. Result:At the 3^th and 6^th after treatment， SCr in two groups increased （P<0.01）， while eGFR decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with control group， SCr was less than that in control group （P<0.01）， whereas eGFR was higher than that in control group （P<0.01）. During 12 months of observation， the reduction rate of CKD was 13.79% （8/58）， which was higher than 1.72% （1/58） in control group. The progress rate of CKD was 11.43% （4/35）， which was lower than 31.58% （12/38） in control group （P<0.05）. Levels of BUN， 24 hUp and UA were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）， while levels of Hb and ALB were higher than those in control group （P<0.01）. Effect in observation group was better than that in control group （Z=2.051， P<0.05）. And levels of TGF-β₁， CTGF， TNF-α， IL-6， Lkn-1 and IL-12 were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）， and level of Klotho was higher than that in control group （P<0.01）. There was no adverse reaction relating to Shenwu Yishen Pian. Conclusion:Shenwu Yishenpian can delay the progress of renal function and CKD， reverse the progress of renal function in some patients， reduce the risk factors of disease progress， reduce the state of micro inflammation and resist RIF， and protect or improve renal function. Its clinical effect is better than placebo， and it is safe to use.